Tigers draft Auburn right-hander Casey Mize with No. 1 pick

6-foot-3, 220-pound pitcher wasn't chosen by any organization out of high school

GM Al Avila confident "will become a pillar in our player development system ..."

First time Detroit led draft since 1997

Casey Mize

SECAUCUS, N.J. — Casey Mize went from undrafted three years ago all the way to No. 1.

The Detroit Tigers selected the Auburn right-hander with the first pick in the Major League Baseball draft Monday night. The announcement at MLB Network studios marked the second time the Tigers led off the draft, and first since they took Rice pitcher Matt Anderson in 1997. He compiled a 5.19 ERA in 257 career relief appearances.

The Tigers also had the top pick of the second round, which they used to select Grayson (Georgia) High School outfielder Parker Meadows. The younger brother of Pirates rookie outfielder Austin Meadows is described as a raw hitter, whom the Tigers hope they can mold into the impact offensive player they desperately need to fill out their farm system, MLB.com reported.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Mize had long been linked to the Tigers, and he pitched his way this season to the top spot on the board. Mize wasn't chosen by any organization out of high school three years ago, but developed into a potential big league ace while in college.

"It means a ton," he said in an interview on MLB Network's broadcast. "I'm very thankful that the Tigers thought of me enough to take me with their first selection. I can't describe this feeling right now."

The signing-bonus slot value for this year's first pick is a cool $8.1 million.

Mize is 10-5 with a 2.95 ERA and 151 strikeouts with just 12 walks in 109 2/3 innings while helping the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament super regionals. He has solid command of four pitches, including a fastball that hovers in the mid-90s (mph). His outstanding command and wicked split changeup whip up lots of swings and misses.

Mize became the seventh player to go from undrafted in high school to the No. 1 pick, and first since Stephen Strasburg went to the Washington Nationals in 2009.

In a statement, Tigers general manager Al Avila said the club is confident Mize "will become a pillar in our player development system that's going to bring winning baseball to Detroit for seasons to come."

"Being a college pitcher — especially coming from the Southeastern Conference — we know Casey has seen elite competition before," he added.

Detroit is hoping Mize impacts the franchise more like longtime ace Justin Verlander, who helped the Tigers win two pennants and four AL Central titles after they grabbed him at No. 2 overall in 2004.

Verlander was traded to World Series champion Houston last season as Detroit sought promising prospects for the future. After fading badly down the stretch, the Tigers finished tied with San Francisco for the worst record in the majors at 64-98.

The silver lining was the opportunity to add Mize.

The draft resumes with rounds 3-10 on Tuesday and concludes with rounds 11-40 on Wednesday.